Electronic communication display system

ABSTRACT

An electronic communication display system is at least partially disposed on a computer readable medium and is configured for transmitting data corresponding to media to a remote client location where the media is displayed. The electronic communication display system comprises an electronic poster display board for displaying media and a client server that is configured to transmit the data to the electronic poster display board. A main web server, which may be configured to communicate with the client server for transmission of the data thereto, compiles sets of posters in electronic form which are selected through the client server. A method of communication is also presented.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to employee communicationprograms, and, more particularly, to an electronic communication displaysystem for publishing employee communications.

[0002] Conventional business communication programs have typicallyincluded providing a bulletin board upon which printed material, e.g.,posters including photographs, artwork, designs and/or slogans, andmessages which pertain to a client's business are displayed. Topicswhich may be the subject of business communications include employeecommunications involving safety, quality, teamwork, morale andself-motivation. For example, since safety is an important considerationin most working environments, a poster with a slogan such as usingprudence in a potentially dangerous situation may be displayed forimpressing upon employees an employer's requirement for observingon-the-job safety. Other examples of representative employeecommunications include messages such as news releases made by a clientand messages for boosting employee morale such as those involvingemployee activities.

[0003] In conventional systems to which the invention relates, theposters and messages may be developed by graphic designers by hand or ona computer aided design system. Typically, they are printed as a largecommunication display and then sent to a client where the communicationdisplay may be mounted onto a bulletin board. The bulletin board may berelatively sophisticated and creatively organized for efficiency andvisual attention such as a three-panel bulletin board on the order of 26inches (66 centimeters) by 63 inches (160 centimeters). For conventionalsystems to which the invention relates, the posters are typicallyregularly replaced by manual means depending on corporate goals, news ofinterest and employee activities.

[0004] At regular time intervals, such as once a month, clients mayselect new posters and messages and/or the new posters and messages areautomatically selected, printed and shipped periodically to each client.Because of the large number and variety of clients and the specificrequirements for certain users, there are significant inefficienciesassociated with selecting, printing and shipping the employeecommunications. Also, achievement of a high degree of customization andselectivity is economically problematic.

[0005] Accordingly, it is desired to provide an efficient system whichovercomes many of the deficiencies of prior art systems and services.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Briefly stated, the invention in a preferred form is anelectronic communication display system which is at least partiallydisposed on a computer readable medium and is configured fortransmitting data corresponding to media to a remote client locationwhere the media is displayed. The electronic communication displaysystem comprises an electronic poster display board for displayingmedia, and a client computer server which receives data corresponding tothe media for the electronic poster display board. A web server capableof communicating with the client server for transmission of data theretois also provided. The web server along with an application servercommunicating with the web server formulates the data for the ultimatetransmission to the client server.

[0007] At its most fundamental configuration, the electroniccommunication display system comprises two computers. The main serverstores, sorts and keeps track of each client's order. It also receivesthe news, weather and sports information and reformats it for clientuse. Each remote location of the system has a “client” computer which ishooked up to the Internet and to a flat panel display device. Thiscomputer checks, via Internet, with the main server on a regular basisand retrieves the correct assortment of materials in electronic form. Itthen displays them on the flat panel display. The display may alsoinclude regularly updated news, weather and sports information.

[0008] In one particular embodiment of the invention, the client serverhas a web browser configured in kiosk mode for display of the media. Theweb browser may contain a plurality of channels wherein each of thechannels contains an electronic poster or an electronic message.

[0009] Another preferred form of the invention involves a method ofproviding a customized poster service to a plurality of remote locationsand comprises the steps of: generating a poster kit containing at leastone electronic poster and/or electronic message for each client orsubscriber selecting posters and/or messages by the client from theremote location; providing an electronic poster display board at eachlocation; and communicating each selected poster and/or message over theInternet to each electronic poster display board for display of theleast one electronic poster and/or electronic message.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide an electroniccommunication display system capable of electronically transferringbusiness communications from a primary location to a plurality of remotelocations.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide anelectronic communication display system which enhances customization andincreases the variety of materials available for selection.

[0012] A further object of the present invention is to provide anelectric communication display system which allows for substantiallyinstantaneous transmission of selected materials to a remote location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0013] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the specification and drawings wherein:

[0014]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a representative embodiment of anelectronic communication display system in accordance with the presentinvention;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a process flow diagram for an administrative portion ofthe embodiment of FIG. 1; and

[0016]FIG. 3 is a process flow diagram for a subscriber portion of theembodiment of FIG. 1;

[0017]FIG. 4 is a schematic annotated diagram of a representativeelectronic poster display board for use with the embodiment of FIG. 1;and

[0018]FIG. 5 is a representative screen which a subscriber may use inconnection with the electronic communication system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] An electronic communication display system in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention is illustrated generally at 10. Theelectronic communication display system 10 provides for the transmissionof client communications for display as media such as posters includingdesigns and/or slogans and messages from a primary location for displayat one or more remote client locations. As discussed above, the subjectmatter of the business communications may involve safety, quality,teamwork, morale, self motivation, client news releases, employeeactivities and others.

[0020] The term “media” as used herein is intended to include all formsof visual communication including graphics, written and printed textalong with photographs, visual works and artistic material developed fordisplay alone or therewith.

[0021] The electronic communication display system 10 comprises aprimary or administrative server system 12 located at a primary locationand a multiplicity of client or subscriber communication and displaysystems 14, 114, 214 located at each remote client location. The clientcommunication and display system 14 communicates with the main oradministrative server system 12 via the Internet 16.

[0022] The administrative server system 12 is comprises a computer 13which is configured to function as a first web server 18, a second webserver 20, a data base server 22, and an application server 26. Whilethe administrative server system 12 is described in terms of severalservices and server functions, a single computer 13 may provide allfunctions and incorporate all described services. The computer 13 may beany commercially available server such as that manufactured and marketedby the Compaq Corporation and may be connected to the Internet 16 vialine 28 in a well known manner. The first web server 18 is configured tobe accessible by one or more client work stations as more fullydescribed hereafter for modifying the content of the employeecommunication.

[0023] The second web server 20 may be similar to web server 18 althoughmodified to communicate via communication line 29 with one or moreclient servers discussed in more detail below. It will be understoodthat while two web servers 18 and 20 are provided, one web serverperforming both functions may be employed instead.

[0024] The data base server 22 stores client information such as clientidentification, client routing location and client media data such asposter kits developed by a work station 24 and as modified by theapplication server 26 as discussed below. Numerous work stations 24 maybe employed

[0025] Each work station 24 is configured so that a graphic designer maydevelop electronic posters and collect the posters together into kitswhich may contain, for example, collections of electronic posters andmessages for a particular client. The media is created at theworkstation 24, using software such as Adobe Photoshop™ or AdobeIllustrator™. The posters are then sent to work station 18 where theyare sorted by edition and client. The work station 24 communicates withthe data base server 22 represented by communication line 30 in order totransmit various electronic posters, etc., which are developed at thework station 24, to the data base server. The electronic posters areconverted into an appropriate format for transmission over the Internet16, such as file transfer protocol (FTP), and then stored beforetransfer to a client communication and display system 14, as discussedin more detail below. FTP is employed to obtain news, weather and sportsdata. Otherwise, in house file transmission is over local networks.

[0026] The coordination and communication with computer 13 isfunctionally identical in FIG. 1. The application server 26 communicateswith both the first and second web servers 18, 20 represented bycommunication lines 32 and 34 and with the data base server 22 viacommunication line 36. The application server 26 provides coordinationbetween the web servers 18 and 20 and access to the electronic posterkits contained in data base server 22. The application server 18includes application software which tracks and distributes contentaccording to client order entry procedures and as modified bysubscribers during the subscription period.

[0027] The client communication and display system 14 comprises acomputer 15 which includes a client workstation 38, a client server 42,and an electronic poster display board 40. The client workstation 38communicates with the web server 18 via communication lines 28 and 44and the Internet 16. The client workstation 38 preferably comprises aweb browser sold under the trademark EXPLORER by the MicrosoftCorporation of Redman, Wash. Optionally, other web browsers, such asthat sold under the trademark NETSCAPE by the Netscape CommunicationsCorporation of Mountain View, Calif. may be employed. The client workstation 38 interactively communicates with a web server 18 in order totransmit client or subscriber input, for example to, modify anelectronic poster kit and receive an updated description of theelectronic poster kit. Such interactive communication can be as frequentas described by the client.

[0028] The electronic poster display board 40 may be any suitably largedisplay board but is preferably a flat panel gas plasma display, such asthat manufactured and sold by the Sony corporation of Japan.

[0029] The client server 38 receives electronic poster kits (or media)in the form of data in a particular format, as discussed above, fordisplay on the electronic poster display board 40. The client server 38is illustrated as being connected to the electronic poster display board40 by a communication line 46. It will be appreciated that the computer15 may be located on a housing supporting the electronic poster displayboard 40 but is preferably separated some distance therefrom. In anyevent, the client server 38 communicates with the web server 18 viacommunication lines 29 and 44 and the Internet 16. The client server 38preferably comprises a web browser, such as discussed above, which isconfigured, in a kiosk mode whereby the browser receives the data fromthe web server 18 and generates a continuous display. In particular, itwill be understood that a number of channels of the web browser may beused in order to simultaneously display various elements of the posterkit for varying amounts of time. An example of the foregoing isdiscussed below.

[0030] Referring now also to FIG. 4, the client server 38 communicateselectronic poster kits to the electronic poster display board 40 fordisplay thereof. Preferably, the electronic poster display board maycomprise a plurality of sections for displaying different materials. Forexample, four separate sections 50, 52, 54 and 56 may be provided—eachof which may be functioning simultaneously and at different update timesand periods. Each section may sequentially display varying messagesand/or posters, slogans, etc. For example, in section 50 an electronicposter 58 may be displayed fifteen (15) minutes and then switch to acustom executive poster 62. Section 52 may concurrently include anemployee message 64, then switch to a Good Will Motivator™ media 66thereafter switch to a management suggested letter 60 and. The relativetiming may also be selected. For example, messages 64 and 66 mayalternate every fifteen (15) minutes and may start seven and one half(7.5) minutes after the poster 58 is initially displayed in section 50.Section 54 may display any news and announcements such as newsheadlines, sports scores and local 3 or 5 day weather forecasts. Thedisplay may include media such as a client's name or trademark, etc. asillustrated at 70, which may be permanently affixed thereto. It will beappreciated that each of the communications lines 28, 29, 44 and 48 maycomprise, for example, telephone, satellite or wireless hook up.

OPERATION

[0031] With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, using work station 24 agraphic artist creates a work which is compiled into a poster kitincluding a collection of electronic posters in a data format, asdiscussed above, that is suitable for transmission over the Internet asshown in box 72. The electronic posters are cataloged electronically viathe workstation 24 and stored in the data base server 18. See box 74.

[0032] The application server 18 and work station 24 function to groupelectronic posters. The posters may also be compiled into posters kitsarranged by, for example, a particular client or client group such asretail clients or manufacturing clients. See box 76. For example, thesubscribers of systems 14 and 114 may have access only to one set ofposter kits while the subscriber of systems 214 has access only to adifferent set of posters. The application server is also configured toindicate the last time and date that revisions or updates have been madeto the poster kits.

[0033] Each subscriber may modify these kits as will be more fullydescribed hereafter. Once the kits are established, the client mayselect the specific electronic posters for display on the electroniccommunication display 40. Thereafter, the client server 38 communicatesthe electronic posters to the electronic communication display 40 asdescribed above for display thereof. See box 80. The subscriber canquery through the web browser to determine the latest times and dates ofposter kit changes.

[0034] The client may also modify the client's poster kit as follows.Using a client workstation 38, the client contacts the web server 18(see box 82 and 84) and logs onto the web server 18. After checking forproper password and client ID, (see 86), the client views the currentkit contents at 88. The client may then choose between differentoptions. The client may search for posters by topic, for exmple, posterswith themes such as safety, attitude, cooperation, etc. The client mayremove any unwanted electronic posters or other content at 90. Theclient may also search, using the application server 18, to select aparticular poster or posters and add each selected poster to the posterkit at 92, 94 and 96. The client may have access to various screens suchas screen 200 (FIG. 5) to facilitate the search and selection.Optionally, the client may design its own electronic poster contentwithin the application or simply provide electronic material for displayall of which may be added to the poster kit at 98 and 100. Once a clienthas completed the modification, the electronic poster kit will be madeavailable by the application server 18. Accordingly, when the clientserver 14 polls the web server 18, new media data is downloaded fordisplay on the electronic communication display 40 which is representedat box 102.

[0035] While the present invention has been described in connection withwhat are presently considered to be the most practical and preferredembodiments, it is to be understood that the present invention is notlimited to the disclosed embodiments. Rather it is intended to cover allof the various modifications and equivalent arrangements includingwithin the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of distributing electronic media fordisplay at a multiplicity of remote locations comprising: (a) creating aplurality of electronic poster kits each containing a plurality ofposters; (b) posting said electronic poster kits on a web site; (c)accessing said web site over the Internet to view a poster kit; (d)selecting from a remote location a set of posters from said web site;(e) customizing said selected set of posters from said remote locationby transmitting data over the Internet; (f) transmitting said customizedselected set of posters over the Internet to said remote location; and(g) displaying said customized selected set of posters on a screen. 2.The media distribution method of claim 1 further comprising identifyinga subscriber for said remote location and limiting access to a specificposter kit as a function of the identified subscriber.
 3. The mediadistribution method of claim 1 further comprising repeating each saidstep.
 4. The media distribution method of claim 3 wherein if step (d) isnot repeated within a pre-established time interval, further comprisingtransmitting a default poster kit to a remote location and displayingsaid default poster kit.
 5. The media distribution method of claim 1wherein if step (e) is not repeated within a pre-established timeinterval relative to step (d), default customized data is transmitted togenerate said customized selected set of posters.
 6. The mediadistribution method of claim 1 further comprising periodically changingthe posters displayed on said screen.
 7. The media distribution methodof claim 6 further comprising continuously displaying contemporaneousinformation on said screen.
 8. An electronic communication displaysystem that is at least partially disposed on a computer readable mediumand is configured for transmitting data corresponding to media to aremote subscriber location where the media is displayed, comprising: anelectronic poster display board for displaying media; a main web serverconfigured with media defining a plurality of sets of posters inelectronic form and for transmitting selected portions of the media; anda subscriber server in commemoration with said main web server and saiddisplay board and configured to select portions of said media; whereinselected media is transmitted to said subscriber server for display inposter form on said electronic poster display board.
 9. The electroniccommunication display system of claim 8 wherein: the subscriber serverincludes a web browser configured in kiosk mode for display of themedia.
 10. The electronic communication display system of claim 9wherein: the web browser contains a plurality of channels; and the mediaincludes to a poster kit composed of a predefined collection ofelectronic posters and/or electronic messages; wherein each of thechannels contains an electronic poster or an electronic message.
 11. Theelectronic communication display system of claim 10 wherein: thesubscriber server is configured to display one of the electronic postersfor predetermined period of time and then switch to another of theelectronic posters.
 12. The electronic communication display system ofclaim 11 wherein: the web browser is further configured to query themain server to determine whether any changes in the media data hasoccurred.
 13. The electronic communication display system of claim 12wherein: said main server comprises a data base containing poster kitsassociating various electronic posters and the subscriber servercommunicates with the data base subscriber input at the subscriberserver formulates a poster kit for transmission to the subscriberserver.
 14. The electronic communication display system of claim 10wherein the electronic communication display comprises at least one flatpanel gas plasma display.
 15. The electronic communication displaysystem of claim 13 further comprising a work station at which electronicposters are created, the work station communicating with the main serverto formulate the data base.
 16. A method of providing a customizedposter service to a plurality of remote locations comprising the stepsof: generating a poster kit containing at least one electronic posterand/or electronic message for each location; providing an electronicposter display board at each location; and communicating each poster kitover the Internet to each electronic poster display board for display ofthe least one electronic poster and/or electronic message.
 17. Themethod of claim 16 wherein the step of generating a poster kitcomprising the steps of: providing a server at a primary location fordisplaying a collection of electronic posters over the Internet via anInternet browser; and selecting among the collection of electronicposters in order to formulate a particular poster kit and/or modify anexisting poster kit via the Internet browser; correlating the particularposter kit to a particular location.
 18. The method of claim 17 whereinthe step of communicating the poster kit further comprises the steps of:periodically polling the server from a remote location; downloadingupdates at the remote location of a particular poster kit; anddisplaying each of the electronic posters of the updated poster kit. 19.The method of claim 18 comprising the step of: sequencing the display ofeach one of the electronic posters of the poster kit for display on theelectronic poster display board in a predetermined manner.
 20. Themethod of claim 16 further comprising the step of: entering text at aremote location for use in conjunction with display of at least oneelectronic poster.